I'm trying to think of a roundup word for July and I can't. It just... flew by. I know that sounds cheesy but I can't recall when July started and how it's suddenly ending. The novelty of working from home is long gone and I'm just looking forward to the future. August will be the start of major changes in my life and I guess July was the blur that needed to happen. Here's what stuck with me this month:
major productivity!
Like I mentioned in June, I'm officially home alone. I've had lots of time to work! I'm really proud of my YouTube: I posted a video every single Friday. Say hello to a consistent YouTube schedule! July 2020 was when I finally got into a filming, editing, and posting groove.
I also took on new projects! I can't mention some yet (they're still in development). But one major project is moving toward a more sustainable lifestyle. I'm looking into sustainable brands, products, and habits to implement into my daily routine. So far, it has been a gratifying experience. I can't wait to keep going with this.
Patreon has also become a huge focus. I've developed a new group and we're getting along well! I'm hoping to expand so we have a community of our own.
what i've been consuming
YouTube. All the YouTube. Being alone means it's very quiet in the apartment. So I put YouTube on to fill the void. It's entertaining enough to pay attention, but not as needy as a podcast (I'd lose focus when working). Some of my favorite topics are veganism, vlogs, and Animal Crossing lol.
Shudder. Big surprise, huh? We finally got a subscription to this horror network! They never had good movies in the past, but they're starting to improve. We have been watching some really solid horrors lately.
some products i'm loving
S'well Takeaway Tumbler - Woman owned and diverse employees? A yes from me! Plus, they participate in programs towards sustainability. The matte black is sleek and I have no issues with it!
Kainku Handmade Face Mask - The fabric is such great quality! I'm always down to support a small business on Etsy. The spooky pattern is just my style. There's also a flap to insert filters.
Magic of I Pocket Journal - Hear this: 100% vegan, sustainable paper, plant-based packaging, donations to environmental organizations, small local printing, woman owned... the list goes on. This journal is special and beautiful... how could you not want to support such an incredible brand?
Yellowbird Jalapeno Condiment - I just happened to try this hot sauce.Ya'll - I could DRINK this sauce. I put it on everything. Vegan eggs, sandwiches, rice bowls... all the things! I got the bottle this month and I think I need to place an order for more.
looking forward.
July was a blur, but I made some great accomplishments. I'm glad I pushed through it. I'm glad there were more successes than failures. August is going to be a major month for me. I'll tell you all about it when it gets here but I'm excited to take on another project! You know me, I don't stop lol. Oh, and did I read a book? Nope. No, I did not. Maybe in August?
If there’s one part of my day that’s extremely consistent, it’s morning. I love it. Nobody got time for spontaneity that early! Plus, I appreciate the extra time now that I’m working from home and don’t have to travel. Here’s what my morning routine looks like:
A gentle cleanser - this varies but I like Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser for a light morning face wash.
Toner - Versed Weekend Glow Brightening Serum has been helping with hyperpigmentation and general dullness.
Eye cream - I’ve been using Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream for about a year (and the bottle is still very full!). I generally have the most tired and dark looking eyes, but I think they’ve improved a lot.
Moisturizer with SPF - regardless of being inside, SPF is a must. I work by a large window with lots of sunlight! I use Olay UV365 Daily Moisturizer strictly for summertime use because it’s very sunscreeny lol.
It’s not dreamy or reflective or aesthetic, but this morning routine is certainly peaceful for me. Once I log into work, my brain fills with information and it doesn’t stop for the rest of the day. In the morning, everything is reset until then. It’s an internal kind of peace. What does your morning routine look like?
You can see what the rest of my day looks like in my Quarantine Quaroutine post!
initial awakening at 6amIan has to get up early for work and I always see him off despite it being two hours prior to when I get up. We enjoy any few moments together, especially when he’s gone all day. I also sneak in a glass of water for an early morning boost.
go back to sleep until 8:15amI used to set an alarm, but I think my internal clock knows to open my eyes at this precise time (the trick is to have a consistent sleep schedule)!
lay in bed and go through messages until 8:30amI always wake up to Logan sleeping on top of me, so I spend the cuddle time answering messages and letting him sleep a little longer. For clarification, Logan is my cat lol.
brush & skin care!PRODUCTS I USE:
A gentle cleanser - this varies but I like Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser for a light morning face wash.
Toner - Versed Weekend Glow Brightening Serum has been helping with hyperpigmentation and general dullness.
Eye cream - I’ve been using Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream for about a year (and the bottle is still very full!). I generally have the most tired and dark looking eyes, but I think they’ve improved a lot.
Moisturizer with SPF - regardless of being inside, SPF is a must. I work by a large window with lots of sunlight! I use Olay UV365 Daily Moisturizer strictly for summertime use because it’s very sunscreeny lol.
breakfast timeMy morning routine feels complete after breakfast, which is fine because I love breakfast! I typically make something simple but nourishing like tofu scramble or a vegan egg sandwich. I also fill up a large Mason jar with water and another with cold brew and the tiniest splash of plant-based creamer. I sit on the couch and play a bit of Animal Crossing while I finish my food, then it’s time for work.
It’s not dreamy or reflective or aesthetic, but this morning routine is certainly peaceful for me. Once I log into work, my brain fills with information and it doesn’t stop for the rest of the day. In the morning, everything is reset until then. It’s an internal kind of peace. What does your morning routine look like?
You can see what the rest of my day looks like in my Quarantine Quaroutine post!
The sixth month of 2020 unexpectedly became a month of reflection. Not the shallow kind, the kind that sits in the pit of your belly. June started with George Floyd. It ends with the start of a reignited movement, a movement with fire that I hope will never extinguish.
I wanted to bring this series back to life - it's amazing how much can happen in one month. It's amazing how much we discover in one month! Here's a rundown of mine:
first month of solitude
I spent most of June at home by myself now that Ian has returned to work. I'm actually okay with being alone. I enjoy it a lot, though I do miss having my best friend around 24/7. It was a fun couple of months. We rewatched Friends, spent hours chatting, and spent plenty of time playing games! But alone time = more time to refocus on my online content which is much needed. Go me for posting a video two weeks in a row! My first streak. I have a lot of relearning to do - social media is endlessly changing. So I'm taking my June mistakes and doing better in July. Stay tuned!
and first social outings!
NYC has a long way to go before things return to normal. But this was the first month we participated in any social events! We had a couple of BBQs in my mom's backyard and last weekend we were invited to a vegan taco night. It was absolutely amazing! Our close friend has decided to go vegan and well, she's also a chef! So we were clearly pampered. The spread included: seven-layer dip, charred tortillas, vegan elote corn salad, and rice milk horchata. Let's be honest, themed food events are the best.
what i've been watching + (not) reading..I didn't get much reading done, as usual. I'm the worst book blogger! But I have a valid excuse this time - I was waiting for a book order and I didn't want to start something I knew I wouldn't finish in time. That's a good excuse! Now that I have Octavia Butler's Fledgling, it's time to get reading. I'll keep you updated in July.
Dark has returned for its final season. Everyone, PLEASE get on this show!! It's dark and eerie and nostalgic and dramatic and ugh, I just love it so much. I'm savoring the experience by watching one episode a week. But with only 8 episodes, I'm already dreading when the show will be no longer. Do me a favor and check it out?
some products I'm loving:
Vegamour - a vegan and natural hair serum for growth and thickness. I haven't had major results yet, but it feels promising! Hair progress shots are posted every Wednesday on my Instagram.
Digital Planner by AmmaRoseDesigns - this is so helpful for social media and marketing planning. The creator includes fun spreads to help kickstart your business.
Just Egg - As long as you have black salt, this product is essential! I've been making incredible egg sandwiches and burritos.
"Silk" Pillowcase - This is an underrated lifesaver for hair. I never believed it before, but this pillowcase prevents all the knots and nests! Seriously, your old pillowcase is bringing you down.
looking forward.
June has been mostly rough, but I can't say it was all bad. I've united with POC all across the world. I've taken up initiatives towards BLM. I've experimented with art and creating fun content. I got to sit out, breathe fresh air, and laugh among friends over vegan tacos. I start July with hope and newfound inspiration. And for the life of me, I hope I can finish a book, too.
How was your June? Any fun moments or recommendations you have to share? Let's get ready for the summer together!
I get lots of questions asking what an average day looks like for me. I figured now would be the best time to share insight, especially since we're all mostly working from home! I hope this shares helpful advice for working remotely during a time where our routines are unexpectedly turned upside down.
Being at home can easily make lazy days, every day. But we need to maintain the structure to avoid burnout and potential mental health issues. You can read up on my essential social distancing care package here!
It's only fair to disclose a bit about me - it affects what my days look like!
I'm a full-time employee at an office job and a part-time social media content creator.
I'm also married with no kids but a mom to a rascal cat and bunny! This means I don't only take care of myself - I have pets to care for and familial responsibilities shared with a spouse.
All of this is to say, I'm busy... always. I don't work around time, I make time work for me. See how I do that below!
Like, 8:15 on the dot!
I do the usual - brush teeth, slab toner and moisturizer on, get dressed. Yes, sweats and a tee count. Ian and I start the day with breakfast, so we head into the kitchen to whip something up. He's on coffee duty. I do the rest. The news is on while we eat, then we finish our coffee at our desk spaces (they're right next to each other!).
While I finish my coffee, I flip through my bullet journal to get an overview of what I’m working on that day. Then I:
- Coordinate my general to-do list and daily to-do list.
- Filter through new emails.
- Answer DMs and new comments on my posts.
Once I get a thorough understanding of my day, it’s time to work!
This is the first chunk of the day where I tackle tasks. I’m working full-time from home, so that’s what I'm mostly doing. I’ll spare you the boring details. But every 30 minutes or so, I get up for a quick walk to get the blood flowing. I post on my Instagram stories during those mini-breaks! I also refill my cup of water, because ya can’t forget the water.
I make something simple for Ian and I. Usually leftovers, let’s be honest. We sit on the couch and eat, he goes back to work, and I usually upload my main post to Instagram.
I spend about half my break chatting with followers on Instagram and checking all social media accounts.
If I have a blog post or video pending, I spend my lunch break editing. Technically this is work. But I love it so I don’t mind. Yes, I am writing this on my lunch break...
This is the last bit of work I’ll get done for the day, so I push through it. It’s usually not stressful because of the mini-breaks. The good thing about being home is that mini-breaks aren’t just walking to the bathroom! I check on my plants, give my cat a cuddle, stretch by Ian’s desk and have a little chat. Those few minutes throughout the day help the final stretch flow easily.
We’re both logged off 100% by 5pm. Time for yoga! We clear the living room for a good 30-minute session. Ian preps dinner while I shower. I cook dinner while he showers. We like good food, so we spend time making it really tasty. After our meal, we indulge in our hobbies:
Games are saved, bookmarks in place. This is the time where we stop engaging and just relax. It’s important to divide our days up like this to avoid crashing or becoming overwhelmed. We like to have a few drinks while watching TV. Chatting is constant! This downtime has always been a part of our routine and it's my favorite part of the day.
I spend about half my break chatting with followers on Instagram and checking all social media accounts.
If I have a blog post or video pending, I spend my lunch break editing. Technically this is work. But I love it so I don’t mind. Yes, I am writing this on my lunch break...
- Video games
- Reading
- Painting
- Taking a nap, heh
- Scrolling through Instagram
I hope this was helpful, informative... or possibly entertaining? Let me know how you've been working from home and if you have any good tips to share! Sending lots of love and good health your way.
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